Pondicherry is the capital of Union Territory of Puducherry. We had a small get together with a group of college mates and their families during our vacation in India. We flew into Chennai from Kochi, and then took the scenic route from Chennai - East Coast Road (ECR) via Mahabalipuram.
Read my post about Mahabalipuram (Mamallapuram) here
Gateway to Pondicherry
The Government Secretariat of UT of Puducherry
We stayed at the Seaside Guest House which is located right on the Promanade beach of Pondicherry. The guest house is owned by the Arbindo Ashram. The price for the rooms are decent, but the rooms will need to be reserved well in advance if you need to get it. One flip side of this place is that the food options are very less. The breakfast was very basic. But the location was just right - right on the beach. Make sure you get a upper floor room, with beach view.
The temple elephant gives the blessings to the devotees - of course after mahout is compensated
Mahatmaji statue at the Promenade Beach
The French consulate building in White Town
Aayi Mandapam - was built during the times of the then French Emperor - Napolean Bonaparte III. This monument commemorates establishment of water supply to the people of Pondy
French War Memorial - This monument is dedicated to the memories of those residents of Pondicherry who died in the First World War.
Immaculate Conception Cathedral
Sacred Heart Basilica -
Dupleix Status - Joseph Fracois Dupleix was the Governor General of French India.
Read my post about Mahabalipuram (Mamallapuram) here
Gateway to Pondicherry
The Government Secretariat of UT of Puducherry
We stayed at the Seaside Guest House which is located right on the Promanade beach of Pondicherry. The guest house is owned by the Arbindo Ashram. The price for the rooms are decent, but the rooms will need to be reserved well in advance if you need to get it. One flip side of this place is that the food options are very less. The breakfast was very basic. But the location was just right - right on the beach. Make sure you get a upper floor room, with beach view.
The promanade beach will be closed for traffic in the evenings, at which time, tourists and local public will come out in numbers for evening walk. The beach in front got completely eroded, and there are full of rocks to prevent further erosion. It is sad to see that the beach access is fully lost..
We visited a local temple at night, the place was crowded with lot of devotees - it seems folks come out in numbers at night because its too hot in the day time!
Mahatmaji statue at the Promenade Beach
Next day, we visited the Raj Nivas - the official residence of the Lt. Governer of Puducherry.
When we visited, there was one another family in our tour group. The father was of Tamil origin, and mother was French. They came to Pondy to visit with their two daughters. Both the families were given a tour of Raj Nivas - a beautiful colonial building - preserved very well. After the building tour, we met Lt. Governer Kiran Bedi in her office. After a brief introduction and discussion with us, she posed for a picture. We were not allowed to carry camera or phones - The Raj Niwas officials later sent the picture with Lt. Governer on WhatsApp. I couldn't take pictures from inside the building unfortunately.
The French consulate building in White Town
Aayi Mandapam - was built during the times of the then French Emperor - Napolean Bonaparte III. This monument commemorates establishment of water supply to the people of Pondy
French War Memorial - This monument is dedicated to the memories of those residents of Pondicherry who died in the First World War.
Notre Dame De Agnes/Our Lady of Angels Church - This church has an interesting architecture - it was built in 1855 during the reign of Napolean III. The church is built with Greco-Roman architecture
Immaculate Conception Cathedral
Sacred Heart Basilica -
Dupleix Status - Joseph Fracois Dupleix was the Governor General of French India.
